Cross country runners qualify for state meet

Nov. 7, 2011—Two CFISD cross country teams and six additional individual runners qualified for the UIL Cross Country Championships—scheduled for Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock—during the Region III meet last weekend in Humble.

The Cy-Fair High School girls’ team placed first overall with 74 points, ahead of second-place Katy and third-place Katy Seven Lakes. The following runners combined to secure Cy-Fair’s regional title:

• Katie Boane, junior, 13th place (11:48); Faith Banker, junior, 16th place (11:56); Emily Willingham, junior, 17th place (11:58); Lauren Fritz, junior, 20th place (12:00); and Karen Hunsicker, senior, 22nd place (12:02).

Cy-Fair’s other two runners were senior Haley West, (58th place, 12:37) and junior Haley Culpepper (68th place, 12:52).

“I was pleased with the team’s performance today. Our pack was able to stay together and hold a 13-second spread from our first to fifth runner. Our fifth runner came in ahead of the other contenders’ third runners, and that makes us hard to beat,” said Cy-Fair coach Tom Kennedy. “I hope we can keep our pack together again at state. If we do that and make sure everyone finishes in the top fourth of the field, I think we have a shot at winning.  We have the talent and the work ethic; now we just need to execute the race plan.”

Three additional girls’ runners qualified for state by finishing among the top 10 individuals:

• Cypress Creek High School senior Leslie Schilsky placed second overall with a time of 11:31.4;

• Cypress Woods High School freshman Madison Gilcrease placed fifth overall with a time of 11:33.8; and

• Cypress Creek junior Haley Deakins placed eighth overall with a time of 11:36.2.

In the boys’ race, CFISD runners comprised the top three individual slots and four of the top 10 overall:

• Cypress Woods senior Craig Nowak won the regional title with a course-record time of 15:05.9;

• Cypress Ranch senior Cale Wallace placed second with a time of 15:18.9;

• Cypress Creek senior Keaton Blau placed third with a time of 15:42.1; and

• Cy-Fair senior Jacob Lefler placed eighth with a time of 15:54.2.

Cypress Woods placed second overall among team scoring with 95 points behind first-place Strake Jesuit and ahead of third-place Katy Cinco Ranch. The following runners made up the Wildcats’ score:

• Nowak, first place (15:05.9); Colin Stoeber, 13th place (16:08); Zachary Quinlan, 22nd place (16:32); Kyle Ray, 27th place (16:38); and Connor Hanson, 32nd place (16:42).

Cypress Woods’ other two participating runners were Raymond Berrones (44th place, 16:58) and Cody Meineke (44th place, 17:02).

“The team has been working toward this goal for the last few seasons and I am extremely happy that they will get the opportunity to experience this,” said head coach Greg Zarate. “Craig ran a course record in his win and I am really looking forward to seeing how he will compete on Saturday. I know it will be a special day and am excited about the opportunity.”